Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Trail Alignment Franz Road topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Katy council tables interlocal agreements after residents and council members raise safety, outreach concerns about trail across Franz Road
Summary
Council members asked staff for more outreach and detailed drawings after a changed trail alignment for the Falls of Green Meadows interlocal agreement would move the trail across Franz Road and closer to residences; council voted to table three related agreements for additional review.
The City of Katy council on April 14 voted to table three interlocal agreements with a municipal utility district tied to the Falls of Green Meadows trail project after council members and staff described a changed alignment that would route the trail across Franz Road rather than along the creek.
Council Member Gina Hicks said she learned of the alignment change at the meeting and expressed concern that the revised plan had not been shown to all homeowners' associations. "This is the first time I'm seeing this, to be honest with you," Hicks said. Other council members who represent neighborhoods near the project said they had not been shown the revised layout.
Staff said the alignment change resulted after negotiations with the MUD and residents who asked the trail be moved away from their backyards; staff described the revised route as a longer jog along Franz Road and said a push-button pedestrian signal would be installed to help with crossings. A city engineering representative explained the trail initially had been routed along the creek but that revised alignment was requested by the MUD and some residents.
Council members raised safety concerns about placing more of the trail along Franz Road, a roadway staff and council described as having limited visibility in places and vehicle speeding. "We're putting children on the road," one council member said while discussing the alignment change and sight lines.
After discussion, the council voted to table all three interlocal agreement items (item 6F and related items) and asked staff to return with detailed trail layouts, clarifying drawings showing where crossings would be located, and a summary of meetings and input from the MUD and homeowners' associations.
The council emphasized that the request for tabling was to allow additional outreach and to verify the design can meet safety expectations before the agreements are finalized.
